Children's Literature

Why Children's Literature?

Children’s Literature is central to childhood development beyond the traditional notions of literacy and learning. Children engage with stories in the form of books, films and new media, and from these texts they learn ways to interpret their world and develop models for participating in their culture. Understanding the messages and agendas in texts for children is essential if we are to help children navigate the complexities of the contemporary world.

Who should study Children's Literature?

The Children's Literature suite of postgraduate courses will equip a range of professionals who work with children, including writers, teachers, librarians and carers to effectively mediate between texts and children.

Course overview

Deakin's Children’s Literature courses will develop your understanding and further your knowledge of children's and young adults' book, film and media, while allowing you to extend your qualifications.

The course offers a unique opportunity to combine studies in Children's Literature with:

• Professional Writing
• Literary Studies
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Media and Communication

The courses can also bridge to Master and PhD higher degrees by research.

Course benefits

Improve your ability to work with children
The course will enable those working with Children to better understand and communicate with texts.

Further your existing qualifications
Choose from the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

Learn from internationally recognised lecturers
Dr Clare Bradford is an internationally renowned expert in Children's Literature. She has published eight books, five of which are fiction for children. Her book 'Reading Race: Aboriginality in Australian Children's Literature' (2001), won the two main awards in children's literature scholarship - the Children's Literature Association Book Award, and the International Research Society for Children's Literature (IRSCL) Award.

Off-campus (distance education)
The Children's Literature courses are available through off-campus study (distance learning) allowing those in remote areas to benefit from Deakin's well established distance education programs and next-day library facilities. Learn more about Deakin's distance education facilities.

Relevant Courses

• Graduate Certificate of Children's Literature
• Graduate Diploma of Children's Literature
• Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)

Staff members:

Dr Clare Bradford

Dr Liz Parsons